I just got an unmodded iPod 5.5 gen off eBay. As cute as it is, I kinda wish I went with a 7th gen instead. The OS on the 6th/7th gen looks a lot nicer and faster compared to how minimal the 5th gen is. I can also hear the noise floor on this iPod at max volume, which is pretty annoying. I can even pick it up a bit around 50% volume if I’m listening for it. I know an impedance adapter can fix it, but I’ve heard the 7th gen has a lower noise floor overall.
I also went with the 5.5 gen because it was what I could afford, and I heard they’re way easier to mod, but now I’m wondering if a 7th gen is really that difficult to open up. Mine is also an 80GB thick-back model, so I can’t really use a clear case unless I want to spend like $90 on a collector’s one. I know the 5.5 gen supposedly “sounds better,” but at this point I kinda wish I just paid the extra for a 7th gen and called it a day.